Reform UK Shakes Welsh Politics With High-Profile Defections

In a dramatic morning for Welsh politics, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled two major announcements in Newport on February 5, 2026: the high-profile defection of Senedd Member James Evans from the Conservatives, and the appointment of Dan Thomas, a former London council leader, as Reform UK's new leader in Wales ahead of the May Senedd elections. The moves have set off a wave of reactions across Wales' political spectrum, fueling debate about the future of the nation's parties and the shifting allegiances within them.

James Evans, who represents Brecon and Radnorshire, had only recently been sacked by the Conservatives over suspicions that he was planning to defect to Reform UK. For weeks, he sat as an independent after losing the party whip, following accusations that he was "continuing to engage with Reform representatives about the possibility of defecting to the party," as reported by County Times. Farage had previously denied any talks with Evans, but at the Newport event, he introduced Evans as a new member of Reform UK, confirming speculation that had been swirling for days.

Evans’ journey to Reform UK has been anything but straightforward. Just a few months ago, he was a fierce critic of the party. In a televised debate, he slammed Reform for making "unfunded, unrealistic promises to the electorate," and accused them of having to "roll back on all their economic policies and tax cuts because they're unfunded." He went further, saying Reform UK lacked policies on education and the NHS, and even branded them "not a serious party" and "a socialist party in all but name." On social media last July, Evans warned that Reform's plans to privatize the NHS would result in "everyone paying insurance before you know it, leaving people who can't afford it, especially older and sicker people, to suffer in pain or die without care."

Yet, at the Newport event, Evans acknowledged his past criticism, but explained his change of heart: "Serious people, not career politicians, reassess when the reality refuses to go away. I looked again, I listened, I read the detail. I saw a movement that has grown and starts where the other parties refuse to start, with the truth that Britain is broken, that Wales is broken, and nothing gets fixed until you're willing to admit it. That's why I am here." He emphasized his Welsh and British identity, stating, "I'm proudly Welsh, but I'm proudly British. These things are not in conflict, and we are stronger together as one United Kingdom."

Evans also took the opportunity to criticize Plaid Cymru and the Green Party, warning they would lead Wales on a "slow march" to the breakup of the United Kingdom. He spoke passionately about rural Wales, saying, "It hurts me that rural Wales and farmers are seen as a problem to issues in our society when often most they offer solutions. Farmers and rural communities are not the problem, it's the crazy policies in Cardiff Bay that are the problem. Reform will stand shoulder to shoulder with those in rural Wales." He added, "Wales does not have to accept decline. It does not have to be run by those who broke it and refuse to admit it. Britain is broken. Wales is broken. Nothing gets fixed by denial. Britain needs Reform and Wales needs it even more."

Evans’ defection follows that of Laura Anne Jones, another former Conservative, who joined Reform UK in July 2025. With Evans on board, Reform now boasts two Members of the Senedd, as it positions itself for a stronger showing in the upcoming elections.

Alongside Evans, Nigel Farage introduced Dan Thomas as the new leader of Reform UK in Wales. Thomas, who grew up in the Welsh Valleys, had served as Conservative leader of Barnet Council in London from 2019 to 2022 before joining Reform UK last year. He returned to Wales with his family in December 2025, stepping down from his council position in Finchley Church End. At the Newport event, Thomas spoke of his deep roots in Wales, recalling, "I was born and raised in the Welsh Valleys, where my family lived for generations. My granddad was a miner, as was his dad before him." He lamented the lack of opportunities in Wales, saying, "The well-paying jobs and the high-flying career paths are simply not there. So I left to build a successful career in financial services in London while serving my new community as a councillor and council leader. After 27 years, I'm back home raising two young boys in the Valleys so they can enjoy the same beautiful Welsh countryside that I played in as a child. I've come back to where I belong."

Both Farage and Thomas used the Newport press conference to criticize the state of the Welsh NHS and to rail against what they called a "war on motorists," promising to scrap the controversial 20mph speed limit. Their rhetoric was aimed squarely at the Welsh Labour government, as well as at Plaid Cymru and the Greens.

The reaction from other Welsh parties was swift and scathing. First Minister Eluned Morgan accused Reform UK of being "absolutely packed with Tories jumping ship." Welsh Labour echoed this sentiment, with a spokesperson stating, "Nigel Farage says there are no Tories in Wales – that's because they've all jumped ship to Reform UK to save their own skins, with James Evans MS being the latest. And now we've got a man who was a London councillor until two months ago telling Wales what it needs. Ultimately it doesn't matter who is named as Reform's leader in Wales. They will just be Nigel Farage's puppet, doing his bidding from Westminster and silencing the voices of the people of Wales. You can't trust their leader. You can't trust their words. Reform UK's leader in Wales is another former Tory. Reform Wales: led by Tories."

Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth was even more direct, describing Thomas as "Farage's Welsh deputy" and "lapdog," and dismissing Reform UK as "recycled, washed-out Tories looking for a new political home now the Conservatives are dead in the water." He argued, "It doesn't matter who Farage has selected to represent him. The so-called leader's sole responsibility will be to get Nigel Farage into No.10 Downing Street, because for Reform, Wales is nothing but a stepping stone." He urged voters to back Plaid Cymru as the only credible opposition to Reform in the May election.

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, also criticized Reform's leadership choices, saying, "Even Nigel Farage thinks that Reform candidates in Wales aren't up to the job – that's why he's appointed a councillor from London as leader. The same people who trashed our economy and hollowed out public services should not be trusted to reinvent themselves and lecture Wales about change." She pledged that the Liberal Democrats would "fight to protect our local hospitals, revive our local high streets, and fix childcare."

Meanwhile, the Welsh Conservatives, led by Darren Millar, accused Thomas of being "parachuted back to Wales to take advantage of the Reform, Labour and Plaid-backed changes to the electoral system that are lumbering Welsh taxpayers with 36 extra politicians at a cost of tens of millions each and every year."

With the May Senedd elections fast approaching, Reform UK's efforts to position itself as a force for change in Welsh politics have triggered fierce debate, with critics from across the political spectrum questioning its motives, leadership, and policies. For Evans, Thomas, and Farage, the challenge now is to persuade Welsh voters that their new team offers a genuine alternative – and to overcome the skepticism of those who see Reform as little more than a refuge for disaffected Conservatives.

As the dust settles from this morning's announcements, one thing is clear: the political landscape in Wales is shifting, and the battle lines are being drawn for what promises to be a fiercely contested election season.